“If my words did glow with the gold of sunshine…and my tunes were played on the harp unstrung…would you hear my voice come through the music…would you hold it near as it were your own?”
Okay, so my title is a bit misleading. This is about energy in action–being a part of the swirling electric energy of Dead & Co. show. The artistry of bringing people along on a magical non-substance related high, from dance tunes to the steady and grounding drum solos. Teasers from other artists leading us into anticipation of what might be the next familiar set of notes. Perhaps we all expect perfection by the band (I’m told that Bob Weir is famous for his perfectionism)–a legacy of holding peaceful and loving intentions for the world. I don’t know the intricacies of every concert, the order or the history, but I do know that I feed off of energy, and I was completely and happily transported to a very happy place, especially Saturday night–the last show of the summer tour. That is what I imagine makes the Grateful Dead (and all its iterations) so legendary and appealing to all ages.
“Brown-eyed women and red grenadine, the bottle was dusty but the liquor was clean…”
First of all, I am most grateful indeed for the gift of tickets–a miracle indeed. Without them, I would not have attended one show, much less two.
I went last year on gifted seats as well. I certainly enjoyed the show last year and appreciated the talent of the band, but not knowing much about them–did it really matter for me in order to have a good time? There is much I would soon learn about what is behind the strategy/set list/the way they know their audience. I was not sure what to expect. This year, however, I was ready to go and really participate— meet new people, dance and sing along. And it paid off. I found a part of myself that had been silenced, tapping into my inner bohemian hippie self (my boys were thankful that they didn’t witness this!). A part of myself dying to be alive!!!
That may have contributed to this days after elevated bliss. No kidding, I was soaring with the best natural high feeling for me. I loved taking in the music deep into my bones, and I loved looking around and seeing so many happy people of all ages!
“It’s a buck dancer’s choice my friend; better take my advice…You know all the rules by now and the fire from the ice…Will you come with me? won’t you come with me?
Wo, oh, what I want to know, will you come with me?…”
My first concert was back in the day; I was in college and saw them in Hartford, CT, but nothing in-between until last summer at Folsom Field. I do not own any Dead albums (wow, that sounds so dated), bootleg videos or tie-dye! I don’t know much about them at all. I don’t do well with crowds, unpredictability, or loud noise. I don’t drink, do drugs of any kind nor wear long, flowery dresses. I took a chance that I would leave my “I don’t deserve to go” attitude behind and join the many excitedly heading into the stadium for the last two shows of their summer tour with close to 50,000 others (at least on Saturday night).
So, how do I end up at this kind of an event? I wanted to take advantage of a date night–an opportunity to drop the never ending “to do” list and get out of the house. Pretend, if you will, that I am free to have a good time, move my body, be part of something bigger than myself—basking in the energy of those who live for joy and friends and good music. It was classic!
“I know you rider gonna miss me when I’m gone…I know you rider gonna miss me when I’m gone…gonna miss your baby…from rollin in your arms…”
This was a time greater than I could have expected. Friday night warmed me up to the scene. Saturday night rocked. From the minute the band got on stage, it was different. I was swallowed up in the pure bliss of the evening. It was indeed magical, and I felt my being in a completely new way–rolling with the joy of those all around me. We were packed into the stadium and anyones movement involved moving with those in the vicinity–no way around that. It was forcing me to be comfortable with my seat mates.
Who doesn’t want to be in that state all the time? I can understand why people follow the Dead. And it is a little bit more unusual to do so without drink or drugs, but I now understand how we want to be around people and events that bring our energy up–to be in the field of bliss–for a moment to leave all worries and negative thoughts behind and to enjoy. There is a great healing in that!
“Reach out your hand if your cup be empty…If your cup is full may it be again…Let it be known there is a fountain…that was not made by the hands of men…”